Cotton picker drum construction and lubrication system



Nov. 15, 1955 w. L. HUBBARD 2,723,520

COTTON PICKER DRUM CONSTRUCTION AND LUBRICATION SYSTEM File Sept- 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR 1 FIG. I

1 W. L. HUBBARD 1955 w. L. HUBBARD 2,723,520

COTTON PICKER DRUM CONSTRUCTION AND LUBRICATION SYSTEM Filed Sept. 16, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

I56 |6Q I64 '74 2s 5s- 48 W F 4 '80 4 INVENTOR J/IYG w. L. HUBBARD 28 we we United States Patent" COTTON PICKER DRUM CONSTRUCTION AND LUBRICATION SYSTEM assignor to 11]., a corporation of This invention relates to an agricultural machine of the cotton-picker type and more particularly to means for lubricating the picker bars and spindles of a cotton picker.

A cotton picker of the general character referred to herein is adapted to mechanically pick cotton from cotton planted in rows in a field. A few basic types of pickers have been developed and have proved to be commercially feasible and, although relatively complicated, are successful and economical and maintenance thereof is relatively simple and inexpensive under reasonable conditions. To further augment the ease of maintenance and to increase the operational efiiciency, considerable attention has been paid to the lubricating systems, particu larly that for lubricating the large number of relatively high speed picking spindles.

In a typical cotton picker, there will be one or more drums rotatable about upright axes and each drum will have a plurality of picker bars from which project a plurality of vertically spaced spindles. Each spindle is individually rotatable about its own axis and for this purpose the bar that carries the spindles is hollow and contains or houses therein an upright shaft on which are mounted a plurality of driving members such as bevel gears for engagement or mesh with the driven members or bevel gears respectively on the spindles carried by that bar. As the drum rotates, each spindle not only rotates but its bar oscillates so that it is projected into and withdrawn from the plant and is then moved in a certain defined manner through associated doffing means, a principle that is virtually as old as the cotton-picker'art but a modern example of which is illustrated in the U. S. patent to Paradise 2,660,852. As illustrated generally in that patent, the supporting structure for the drum in cludes an upper housing which carries, in addition to driving mechanism, means for supplying lubricant to the upper ends of the hollow spindle bars, the theory of the lubricating system being that the lubricant will gravitate through the interiors of the bars and will therefore lubricate the meshing bevel gears within the bars. Because of leakage, evaporation, etc., it is necessary to maintain a somewhat constant supply of lubricant. In

the main, this system has proved quite successful, but

it is subject to certain deficiencies, primarily those attendant upon the starvation of spindle gears in intermediate layers between the uppermost and lowermost layers. viously receive sufficient lubricant because they are close to the source of supply. Likewise, spindles at the bottom of the bars will be adequately lubricated because they are in the zone of a pool or reservoir of lubricant. For reasons apparently based primarily on gravity and centrifugal force, the spindles in the intermediate layers do not receive adequate lubrication. According to the present invention, this disadvantage is eliminated by the provision of a plurality of auxiliary lubricant means, preferably in theform of individual pumps associated respec-- tively with the several picker bars and operative in response to the operation of the driving mechanism that Spindle gears at the tops of the bars will ob- 2,723,520 Patented Nov. 15, 1955 serves to oscillate the bars and to drive the spindle-driving shafts.

The invention features an improved and economical design affording a simple and inexpensive pump which, in one form of the invention, is driven in response to driving of the spindle-driving shaft and which, in another form of the invention, is driven in response to oscillation of the associated picker bar relative to the drum that carries that bar. In one form of the invention, the pumps are superimposed on a lubricating system of the general character referred to above, serving to circulate lubricant to the intermediate layer of spindle gears. In another form of the invention, the pumps are utilized as the sole lubricating means, thus enabling elimination of the main supply means that characterizes pickers of types heretofore known. The disclosure will, of course, suggestother modifications and adaptations of the invention to cotton pickers not only of the type noted above but of other types involving the same or substantially similar problems.

The foregoing and other important objects inherent in and encompassed by the invention will become apparent as preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in detail in the following specification and accompanying sheets of drawings, the several figures of which will be described immediately below.

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary substantially central vertical sectional view through a typical cotton picker drum construction embodying one form of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view as seen substantially along the line 22 of Fig. l, the scale being the same but the apparent difference in size being due to the fact that the section on which Fig. l is taken is on angularly related planes and not a single diametrical plane.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, as seen along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged elevational view, partly in section, as seen along the line 44 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an end elevational view of part of the structure shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view, on the scale of Fig. 1,

a showing a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 7 is a view, on the scale of Figure 4, of the lower portion of a picker bar, with parts broken away and shown in section showing a still further form of the invention. I

Reference will be had first to Figs. 1 through 5.

The basic part of cotton picker supporting structure deemed sufiicient for present illustrative purposes comprises upper and lower vertically spaced apart supports 10 and 12, these supports representing parts suitably carried by a mobile frame as illustrated in the abovementioned Paradise patent. The upper support 10 is in the nature of a housing having an interior portion 14, a bottom wall 16 and a removable top closure 18. The top closure has centrally thereof and on an upright axis 1 a bearing 20 in which is journaled the upper end of a 1 bers 26 and 28, respectively, and a central drum member in the form of a tube 30 that extends between and joins the head members 26 and 28. The unitary construction of the members 26, 28 and 30 is afforded by welding at 32 and 34.

The lower drum head member is in the form of a circular plate having a central bearing 36 and pilotshaft38 secured-to thelower support 12, these parts constituting a lower journal for the drum 24. The upper drum head 26 includes a casting in the form of a spider 40 which has a central bore 42 that receives the lower end of the drum-driving shaft 22. The shaft 22, spider 40 and drum 24 are coaxially secured together by means that will be obvious from the illustration without specific description. For present purposes, it will sufiice to recognize that the drum 24 is journaled at its lower end at 36-38 and at its upper end at 20, so that it therefore is rotatable as a unit about an upright axis relative to the upper and lower supports and 12.

The spider 40 further includes a plurality of angularly or circumferentially spaced integral upright sleeve portions 44, each of which provides a journal or bearing 46 on an upright axis. The bearings 46 constitute upper bearings and are respectively in vertical alinement with lower bearings 48 circumferentially or angularly spaced about the lower drum member 28, each of the bearings 48 including an upright stub or pilot shaft 50.

The bearings 46 and 48 serve to journal a plurality of circumferentially or angularly spaced upright hollow picker bars 52, each picker bar having an upper end 54 journaled in the respective or associated bearing 46 and a lower end portion 56 journaled on the associated pilot or stub shaft 50 of the bearing 48. Because of the journaling of the picker bars 52 in the manner aforesaid, the picker bars are capable of oscillation about their own individual axes relative to the drum 24. As will appear below, the drum 24 rotates as a unit, carrying the picker bars 52 therewith, but as the drum rotates the picker bars are individually oscillated about the upright axes respectively established by the bearings 46 and 48.

The top portion or upper end portion 54 of each picker bar 52 is further extended upwardly as an integral extension 58 and has rigidly connected thereto a control member in the form of a crank 60 that has on its free end a track follower 62 that runs in a closed cam or track 64 formed in a casting 66 rigidly connected to the underside of the upper support 10, an arrangement that is broadly not unconventional. The relationship between the cam track 64 and the journaling or" the picker bars 52 in the drum 24 is significant in establishing oscillation of the picker bars 52 as the drum 24 rotates, since, as will be obvious, the cam track 64 is not concentric with the upright axis about which the drum rotates, the location of which axis will be apparent from the location of the drum-driving shaft 22 in Fig. 2. In the interests of clarity, Fig. 2 is somewhat schematic, but it will be apparent from that figure that as the drum 24 rotates, the axes of the picker bars 52 follow a circular path concentric with the drum axis as indicated by the dot-dash circle 6'8.

Each picker bar 52 carries a plurality of picker spindles '70. Certain intermediate portions of the drum construction 24 have been broken away in Fig. l in the interests of conserving space, out it will be understood that the spindles 71 on each bar may total in some cases as many as twenty, being uniformly vertically spaced and projecting radially from the associated bar 52. It will be also understood that the top spindle 7% in each bar 52 is in substantially the same plane as the top spindles in the other bars, so that the top spindles may be considered as lying in a layer. Successive layers will be represented by succeeding sets of spindles below the top layer. For present purposes, the two top layers are bracketed and designated by the letter T; the two bottom layers of spindles are bracketed and designated by the letter B; and three intermediate layers are bracketed and designated by the letter I. It will be obvious, of course, that this is but a general designation and that actually there may be more or fewer layers in each of the sets denoted.

Each of the spindle bars is provided with a plurality of radially outwardly opening tapped bores 72 and the spindles respectively include threaded bearing portions '74 that are respectively received by the bores '72. In addition, the spindle has an interior rotatable driven portion, represented here as a bevelgear 76, These bevel gears are in engagement or mesh with driving portions in the form of cooperative bevel gears 78 keyed to an upright spindle-driving shaft 80 coaxially housed or contained within the respective picker bar 52. Each shaft is journaled at its upper end in a bearing 82 in the upper extension 58 of the associated picker bar 52 and is further journaled in the picker bar, as by a bearing 84 and may be additionally journaled at its lower end in the picker bar 52 as by a bearing 86. As the shafts 80 rotate, the individual spindles 70 are driven in unison, rotating on their own axes in their own bearings 74. Consequently, as the drum is driven, a plurality of motions occur; the drum rotates about its upright axis and carries with it the picker bars 52 and spindles 70. Simultaneously, the picker bars 52 oscillate about their axes in the bearings 46 and 4S and the spindles 70 rotate about their own axes, which axes are generally radial to the axes of the picker bars 52. As stated, however, this is somewhat conventional and the present explanation is deemed to be sufiicient.

Driving mechanism, designated generally by the numeral 88, is carried in part by the interior housing portion 14 of the upper support 10 and includes, in addition to the parts contained in said housing portion, other parts such as the drum-driving shaft 22, the cranks 60 for the picker bars 52 and the spindle-driving shafts 80, the details of which will be made apparent presently. Power input for the driving mechanism may be here accepted as a spur gear keyed to a shaft 92 that is journaled at its opposite ends in bearings 94 and 96 in the top 18 and bottom 16 of the upper support 10. Coaxially keyed to the shaft 92 is a smaller spur gear 98 which is in constant mesh with a driven gear 100 keyed to the drum-driving shaft 22. By this means, the drum 24 is rotated.

A sleeve 102 loosely surrounds the drum-driving shaft 22 and is journaled thereon by upper and lower bearings 104 and 106. This sleeve has rigidly secured to its upper end a gear 108 that is in constant mesh with the input gear 99; the sleeve has aifixcd to its lower end a larger gear 110 that is in constant mesh with a plurality of spindle shaft spur gears 112 keyed respectively to the upper projecting ends of the spindle-driving shafts 80. Since the sleeve 102 is journaled relative to the drum-driving shaft 22 and since the ratios between the gearing 90-108 and 98-400 are different, the speed of rotation of the spindle-drive main gear 110 will be different from that of the drum 24; although, the directions of rotation will be the same. Consequently, as the drum 24 is rotated by the gearing 98-100, the spindledrive shafts 80 are rotated via the gearing 901-ll- 110-112. At the same time, as the drum rotates and carries with it the picker bars 52, the followers 62 are compelled to follow the orbit defined by the cam track 64 and accordingly the spindle bars 52 will be oscillated. The progressive changes in positions of the spindle bars, and consequently of the spindles carried thereby, may be ascertained from Fig. 2, wherein the successive positions of any selected spindle will be seen to be those progressing counterclockwise about the circular path 68.

The drum construction shown in Fig. l embodies a main lubrication system of the type generally referred to above, the details of which form the subject matter of assignees copending application Ser. No. 304,940, filed August 18, 1952, now U. S. Patent 2,721,436. Consequently, these details need not be repeated here, since they form no specific part of the present invention, being illustrated only as one form of system with which the invention can be used.

This lubrication system rests on the principle of indi vidual distribution of lubricant to the picker bars 52 from a central source of supply. As will be see, the sleeve 102 loosely surrounds the drum-driving shaft 22 in such manner 'as to define a lubricant space 11 to which lubricant is supplied from a central upper inlet fitting 116 through the shaft 22 by means of an axial bore 118 and a pair of radial bores 120 in that shaft. The fitting may be connected-to any suitable source of supply of oil of any appropriate grade, such as SAE 20W. As this oil or lubricant flows into the space 114, it finds an outlet at 122 via a fitting and conduit 124 that extends downwardly through anopening 126 in the spindle main drive gear 110, to deliver into an annular pocketed member 128 secured to and rotatable with the drum spider 40. Since the sleeve 102 and spindle main drive gear 110 are secured together, there will be no interference with the conduit 124 as it passes through the gear. However, these three components (102, 124 and 110) rotate relative to the pocketed member 128 which, as already stated, rotates with the drum 24. Because of this relative rotation, lubricant running from the conduit 124 is distributed successively to a plurality of angularly spaced pockets 130 in the member 128.

Each crank 60 is secured to its picker bar 52 by means of a sleeve portion 132 and this sleeve portion has at its inner side, facing the pocketed member 128, a slot 134 that is arcuate about the vertical axis of the picker bar. This slot is in radial register with a similar arcuate slot 136 in the associated portion 58 of the picker bar 52. These slots are, of course, permanently in register with each other and receive lubricant from the associated pocket 130 of the pocketed member 128 via a short radial conduit 138, the conduits 138 being equal in number to the picker bars 52 so that there is one conduit 138 for each picker bar. The provision of the arcuate slots at 134 and 136 is necessary because of rotation of the pocketed member 128 and oscillation of the picker bars 52 and their associated cranks 60.

The bottom 16 of the upper support has a circular opening 140 therein to accommodate the sleeve 102 and this opening is appropriately sealed at 142 to prevent the escape of a heavier typeof lubricant from the interior housing portion 14. A sprocket 144 is connected to the sleeve 102 just below the driven gear 108. This sprocket is used for driving doffing mechanism (not shown and for all practical purposes in the present disclosure may be ignored, being shown only as part or" the basic structure.

In the operation of the picker mechanism as equipped with the lubricant supply system just described, lubrican't running from the space 114 between the drumdriving shaft 22 and the sleeve 102 via the conduit or tube 124, drips into thepockets 130 of the pocketed member 128 and thence flows through the conduits 138 to the interiors of the individual picker bars 52. In addition to the gravitationally induced flow of lubricant, centrifugal force resulting from rotation of the parts causes the lubricant to enter the interiors of the picker bars, whence it will flow downwardly through the picker bars and downwardly along the spindle-driving shafts 80. Because of the relatively high speed rotation of the shafts 80, there will theoretically be a mist of lubricant within each picker bar, which in most cases would seem to be adequate to lubricate the gearing 76-78, as well as the spindle shaft bearings 82, 84 and 86. As indicated above, however, experience has shown that while this system is adequate to lubricate the spindles in the top and bottom layers T and B, there are instances in which spindles in the intermediate layers I have been starved. While the exact reasons for this deficiency are not known, the existence of the deficiency is a fact. According to the present invention, this deficiency is overcome by the provision of means that will be presently described.

The lower end portion of each picker bar 52 is closed, except for the provision of a lubricant port or outlet, here in the form of a tapped bore 146 (Fig. 4). In the present case, this closure is effected by the relationship between the lower end 56 of the picker bar 52 and the associated bearing 48, being further augmented by an appropriate lubricant seal 148. Consequently, the lower interior end portion of each picker bar 52 atfords a lubricant reservoir R adapted to contain lubricant at a level at least as high as the lowermost spindle-driving gear 78. According to the present invention, this pool or reservoir of lubricant is utilized for recirculation by means of a plurality of individual pumps, each of which is designated by the numeral 150. There are as many pumps as there are picker bars 52.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 through 5, each pump comprises first and second relatively movable parts, the first part being a pump housing 152 and the second part being a plunger 154, the latter operating in a suitable chamber 156 in the housing 152. The housing 152 includes an integral nipple 158 which is externally threaded at 160 to be received by the tapped bore 146 in the associated picker bar 52. In addition, the nipple has an intake bore 162 controlled by a spring-loaded ball valve 164. The housing further includes an outlet port 166 controlled by a second spring-loaded ball 168. The outlet is connected by an output conduit 170 which leads and is connected to the interior of the associated picker bar 52 by means of a fitting 172 at a level higher than the level of the reservoir R afforded at the lower end of the picker bar. In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 through 5 the level of the fitting 172 is intermediate the upper and lower ends 54 and 56 of the picker bar 52, being preferably in the zone of the intermediate spindle layer I. The plunger 154 is normally spring-loaded outwardly by a coil spring 174 and, when extended downwardly by the spring, sucks in oil from the reservoir R via the intake port 162, the ball valve 164 opening to admit the oil. When the plunger is moved inwardly or upwardly, the ball valve 164 seats and the ball valve 168 opens against its spring for the ejection of lubricant through the output port 166 and output conduit 170. Successive reciprocation of the plunger 154 will, of course, continue to circulate lubricant from the reservoir R to the intermediate portion of the picker bar 52 via the conduit 170. Although it appears that the uppermost layer of spindles in the intermediate layers I is above the fitting172, nevertheless the mist principle previously referred to will accommodate spindle gears somewhat above the level indicated. Of course, the fitting at 172, which constitutes an intermediate inlet in the picker bar 52, could be placed at any point that experience indicates to be the best.

For the purpose of operating the pumps 150, there are provided a number of pump-operating members, equal in number to the pumps 150. Each of the pump-actuating members is designated generally by the numeral 176 and in one form of the invention comprises an arcuate cam 178 having a high spot 178a and a pair of low spots 1781;. Thus, as each picker bar 52 oscillates as it prog'resses through the cycle illustrated in Fig. 2, the plunger 154 is moved back and forth across the surface of the cam 178 so that the plunger is alternately extended and retracted to supply lubricant in the manner mentioned above. The details of the pump can, of course, be varied without departing from the principles disclosed. The details illustrated are only representative and not limiting.

In that form of the invention shown in Fig. 6, the principle of the individual pumps is applied to a pickerdrum construction in which the pumps constitute the sole source of lubricant supply. In other words, the lubricant supply system at the upper portion of Fig. 1 may be omitted and reliance may be had on a sufi'icient quantity of lubricant contained within the hollow picker bars 52. In Fig. 6, the pump 150 is shown as having a conduit 170a leading to the upper end 54 of the picker bar 52 via a fitting 172a, the fitting establishing an upper inlet comparable to the inlet at 172 but at an appreciably higher level. In this form of the invention, the individual picker bars would be supplied initially with lubricant in a quantity consistent with the effects of the weight of the lubricant on operation of the mechanism, due regard being had to the factors of centrifugal force and the like and the effect thereof on operation of the picker bars.

In both forms of the invention as shown in Figs. 1 through and in Fig. 6, the cams 178 are aifixed to the plate 28, as by cap screws, one of which appears at 180 in Figs. 4 and 6.

A characteristic of both forms of the invention illustrated is that operation of the pumps is in response to operation of the driving mechanism. That is to say, the lubricant supply, whether in the auxiliary sense of Figs. 1 through 5 or in the main sense of Fig. 6, is positive, and the pumps in each case derive their power as a result of the driving mechanism 8% and its connected parts such as the gearing 11-112 and the fact that the picker bars oscillate because the cranks 6i) follow the cam track 64 in the cam track casting 66.

Fig. 7 shows a modification in which a diiferent form of pump is driven directly from the spindle-driving shaft 80 of the associated picker bar 52 and certain of the parts will be recognized as being common to the disclosure in Figs. 1 through 6. Accordingly, there will be no alteration in the reference numerals, except as to parts added to or replacing those previously described. In this figure, the lower portion 56 of the picker bar 52 includes an integral enlargement 182 which forms part of a pump housing completed by a pump housing cover 184. This pump housing contains a pair of pump gears 186 of conventional design and the portion 182 has therein an intake port 188 through which lubricant is taken from the reservoir R to be pumped through an outlet fitting 190 and an output conduit 192 to either of the Zones designated at 172 or 172a, previously described. The lowermost pump gear 185 is keyed to a shaft 194 on which is keyed a bevel pinion 196 in constant mesh with the lowermost spindle-driving pinion 78, the details of which will be clear without further description. In this case, operation of the pump is in response to operation of the driving mechanism as distinguished from the gravitational system afforded by the construction at the upper part of Fig. 1. As already indicated, the features of Fig. 7 may be applied to either Fig. l or Fig. 6.

What is claimed is:

l. A cotton picker drum construction, comprising: upper and lower drum head members spaced apart vertically; a central upright drum member extending coaxially between and secured to the drum head members; a plurality of upright hollow picker bars respectively having upper and lower end portions and respectively journaled at said upper and lower end portions in the drum heads in angularly spaced relation for individual oscillation about their respective axes relative to the drum heads and central member; a plurality of cotton-picking spindles journaled in each picker bar in vertically spaced relation throughout substantially the height of the bar and projecting generally radially from said bar, each spindle having a driven portion within its bar; a plurality of upright drive shafts equal in number to and respectively housed in the picker bar, each shaft having thereon within the respective bar a plurality of driving portions respectively engaging and driving the spindle driven portions, said engaged driving and driven portions being accordingly spaced vertically within the respective bar on the order of the spindles; and a plurality of lubricant pumps equal in number to the picker bars, each pump having first and second relatively movable parts engaged respectively with the associated picker bar and with a drum member and actuated by oscillation of said bar relative to said drum members, and each pump having a lubricant intake connected to and leading from the interior of the lower end portion of the associated picker bar and a lubricant output conduit connected and leading to the interior of the same bar at a level appreciably higher than said intake, each picker bar being closed at its lower end portion except for the connection to the associated pump 8 intake so that the interior of said lower end portion affords a reservoir to contain lubricant at a level between said intake and the connection of the associated output conduit to said bar.

2. The invention defined in claim 1, in which: the first part of each pump comprises a housing afiixed to the associated picker bar and the second part of each pump comprises a plunger movable in said housing, and the drum member has a cam fixed thereto and operatively engaged by said plunger.

3. The invention defined in claim 2, in which: the lubricant outlet in each picker bar is a tapped bore, the associated pump housing has rigid thereon an externally threaded nipple through which said pump intake extends and said nipple is threaded into said tapped bore to mount the pump housing on the bar.

4. A cotton picker drum construction comprising: upper and lower drum head members spaced apart vertically; a central upright drum member extending coaxially between and secured to the drum head members; a plurality of upright hollow picker bars respectively having upper and lower end portions and respectively journaled at said upper and lower end portions in the drum heads in angularly spaced relation for individual oscillation about their respective axes relative tothe drum heads and central member, each picker bar having at its upper end portion an inlet for the admission of lubricant to the interior of said bar and each picker bar being closed at its lower end portion so that the interior of said lower end portion affords a reservoir for the collection of lubricant gravitating thereto from said inlet, and each picker bar having at its lower end a lubricant outlet in communication with the reservoir; a plurality of cotton-picking spindles journaled in each picker bar in vertically spaced relation throughout substantially the height of the bar and projecting generally radially from said bar, each spindle having a driven portion within its bar; a plurality of upright drive shafts equal in number to and respectively housed in the picker bar, each shaft having thereon within the respective bar a plurality of driving portions respectively engaging and driving the spindle driven portions, said engaged driving and driven portions being accordingly spaced vertically within the respective bar on the order of the spindles and adapted to receive lubricant gravitating through the bar from the respective inlet; and a plurality of lubricant pumps equal in number to the picker bars, each pump having first and second relatively movable parts engaged respectively with the associated picker bar and with a drum member and actuated by oscillation of said bar relative to said drum members, and each pump having a lubricant intake connected to the associated reservoir outlet and a lubricant output conduit connected to the associated picker bar and leading to the interior thereof at a level above that of the associated reservoir.

5. The invention defined in claim 4, in which: the first part of each pump comprises a housing afiixed to the associated picker bar and the second part of each pump comprises a plunger movable in said housing, and the drum member has a cam fixed thereto and operatively engaged by said plunger.

6. The invention defined in claim 5, in which: the lubricant outlet in each picker bar is a tapped bore, the associated pump housing has rigid thereon an eX- ternally threaded nipple through which said pump intake extends and said nipple is threaded into said tapped bore to mount the pump housing on the bar.

7. A cotton picker drum construction, comprising: upper and lower drum head members spaced apart vertically; a central upright drum member extending coaxially between and secured to the drum head members; a plurality of upright hollow picker bars respectively having upper and lower end. portions and respectively journaled at said upper and lower end portions in the drum heads in angularly spaced relation for individual oscillation about their respective axes relative to the lye-i drum heads and central member; a plurality of cottonpicking spindles journaled in each picker bar in vertically spaced relation throughout substantially the height of the bar and projecting generally radially from said bar, each spindle having a driven portion within its bar; a plurality of upright drive shafts equal in number to and respectively housed in the picker bar, each shaft having thereon within the respective bar a plurality of driving portions respectively engaging and driving the spindle driven portions, said engaged driving and driven portions being accordingly spaced vertically within the respective bar on the order of the spindles; a plurality of lubricant pumps equal in number to the picker bars, each pump having a lubricant intake con nected to and leading from the interior of the lower end portion of the associated picker bar and a lubricant output conduit connected and leading to the interior of the same bar at a level appreciably higher than said intake, each picker bar being closed at its lower end portion except for the connection to the associated pump intake so that the interior of said lower end portions afiords a reservoir to contain lubricant at a level between said intake and the connection of the associated output conduit to said bar; and means connected to the pumps and operative in response to oscillation of the picker bars relative to the drum members for actuating the pumps to circulate lubricant between the intakes and the associated output conduits.

8. In a cotton picker, the combination of supporting structure including vertically spaced apart upper and lower supports; a picker drum mounted between and journalled by the supports for rotation on an upright axis, said drum having upper and lower head members and a central coaxial member joining the head members; a plurality of upright hollow picker bars respectively having upper and lower end portions and respectively journalled at said upper and lower end portions in the drum heads in angularly spaced relation for individual oscillation about their respective axes relative to the drum heads and central member, each picker bar having at its upper end portion an inlet for the admission of lubricant to the interior of said bar and each picker bar being closed at its lower end portion so that the interior of said lower end portion atfords a reservoir for the collection of lubricant gravitating thereto from said inlet, and each picker bar having at its lower end a lubricant outlet in communication with the reservoir; lubricant supply means carried by the upper support and including lubricant feed means leading to the picker bar inlets to supply lubricant to the interiors of the bars for gravitation to the reservoirs; a plurality of cotton-picking spindles journaled in each picker bar in vertically spaced relation throughout substantially the height of the bar and projecting generally radially from said bar, each spindle having a driven portion within its bar; a plurality of upright drive shafts equal in number to and respectively housed in the picker bar, each shaft having thereon within the respective bar a plurality of driving portions respectively engaging and driving the spindle driven portions, said engaged driving and driven portions being accordingly spaced vertically within the respective bar on the order of the spindles and adapted to receive lubricant gravitating through the bar from the respective inlet; and a plurality of lubricant pumps equal in number to the picker bars, each pump having first and second relatively movable parts engaged respectively with the associated picker bar and with a drum member and actuated by oscillation of said bar relative to said drum members, and each pump having a lubricant intake connected to the associated reservoir outlet and a lubricant output conduit connected to the associated picker bar and leading to the interior thereof at a level above that of the associated reservoir.

9. In a cotton picker, the combination of: supporting structure including vertically spaced apart upper and lower supports; a picker drum mounted between and journalled by the supports for rotation on an upright axis, said drum having upper and lower head members and a plurality of upright hollow picker bars spaced angularly about the drum axis and carried by the drum head members for individual oscillation relative to the drum, each bar having upper and lower end portions; a plurality of cotton-picking spindles journaled in each picker bar in vertically spaced relation throughout substantially the height of the bar and projecting generally radially from said bar, each spindle having a driven portion within its bar; a plurality of upright drive shafts equal in number to and respectively housed in the picker bar, each shaft having thereon within the respective bar a plurality of driving portions respectively engaging and driving the spindle driven portions, said engaged driving and driven portions being accordingly spaced vertically within the respective bar on the order of the spindles; driving mechanism connected to the picker bars and shafts for rotating the shafts and for oscillating the picker bars; a plurality of lubricant pumps equal in number to the picker bars, each pump having a lubricant intake conncted to and leading from the interior of the lower end portion of the associated picker bar and a lubricant output conduit connected and leading to the interior of the same bar at a level appreciably higher than said intake, each picker bar being closed at its lower end portion except for the connection to the associated pump intake so that the interior of said lower end portion affords a reservoir to contain lubricant at a level between said intake and the connection of the associated output conduit to said bar; and a plurality of pump drive means equal in number and respectively connected to the pumps and operative to actuate the pumps in response to operation of the aforesaid driving mechanism.

No references cited. 

